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Usman vs. Masvidal II Preview
Jorge Masvidal will again try to dethrone welterweight champion Kamaru Usman tonight, as the rivals clash in the main event of UFC 261 in front of 15,000 fans inside a full-capacity Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Masvidal (35-14) stepped in on six days’ notice last July to challenge Usman (18-1) on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi after the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’s original opponent, Gilbert Burns, tested positive for coronavirus. After a bright start, Masvidal quickly faded and was easily outpointed by Usman on all three judges’ scorecards, the champion’s wrestling ensuring a straightforward victory. ‘Gamebred’ has since insisted that a full training camp would be enough for him to defeat Usman, who is on a 17-fight win streak, and tonight he has his chance to prove it in his home state.
The returning fans will also witness two other title fights, as Weili Zhang defends her strawweight title against former champion Rose Namajunas in the co-main event, while Jessica Andrade – another former strawweight titleholder – challenges flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko. Both clashes have the potential to overshadow the main event, on what could be another defining night in women’s MMA. Follow live updates from the UFC 261 prelims and main card below.
UFC 261: Main card – Smith def. Crute
Smith def. Crute via first-round TKO (leg kick, 5:00).
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:30
UFC 261: Main card – Smith def. Crute
The doctor waves it off! Crute wants to continue but he can barely stand on that injured left leg.
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:28
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Round 1: Smith drops Crute with a leg kick, but the Australian responds immediately with a takedown!
Smith works his way back to his feet but is taken down again in the final seconds.
Crute might just have done enough to win the round there…
But hang on, Crute is limping badly on his way to his corner… Can he even continue?
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:27
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Round 1: More nice jabs from Smith, and Crute is already sporting some noticeable damage around his left eye. Crute is landing some effective leg kicks, though, with no checks from Smith yet.
Crute is also starting to land up top.
“Mas-vi-dal” chants echo around the arena…
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:25
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Round 1: After a tentative start from both fighters, they trade body kicks. Crute holding the centre of the Octagon so far. Smith clips him with a decent hook before staggering the Australian with a clean jab.
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:23
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Some boos for Australian Crute from this very pro-”U-S-A” Jacksonville crowd.
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:21
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Smith is clearly fired up to be in front of fans again.
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:18
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Twenty-five-year-old Crute (12-1) is out first. Smith (34-16) follows.
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:15
UFC 261: Headliners in the building
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:14
UFC 261: Main card – Smith vs Crute
Former title challenger Anthony Smith takes on Jimmy Crute in a light heavyweight opener. It’s up any moment now.
Alex Pattle25 April 2021 03:13
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